The Owner Of The Thousand Gold Coins Is A Military Official - Chapter 68
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 68
“Mother?”
“You have the face of someone who has seen what they shouldn’t have.”
So that’s her.
The person who is both Cheongsoso’s mother and master.
Unlike Cheongsoso, her striking white hair is impressive.
Even though the sun has already set, it creates the illusion that her hair itself is emitting light.
“That can’t be. I was just surprised. Have you returned?”
“Yes. But who might this be?”
There shouldn’t be anyone in here that she doesn’t know.
This is an unfamiliar face.
With such handsome features, she wondered if perhaps some entertainment had been arranged.
“His name is Wun.”
She doesn’t seem particularly pleased.
If she’s Cheongsoso’s mother, then she’s also the heir to Binggung.
I understand the Palace Master has entered seclusion, so she would have full authority.
“Enough. Let’s go back. We have things to discuss.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Whether it should be called fortunate or not, Cheongsoso’s mother seems to have no particular interest in Cheongun.
After watching Cheongsoso disappear into the distance for a moment, Cheongun also returned to his chamber.
He hadn’t expected to meet Cheongsoso’s mother, but fortunately nothing particular happened afterward.
Yeso, having finished her treatment, devoted herself to training a bit more than usual.
Geomma, despite having mentioned taking a disciple, showed no further signs of himself afterward.
“How quiet it is.”
Even after several days had passed, this quietness showed no signs of breaking.
Cheongsoso was also moving about busily now.
Since proceeding with Cheongun would mean there would be much for Cheongsoso, who had brought Cheongun, to bear, the groundwork was necessary.
Cheongsoso was someone who had to remain here, while Cheongun was someone who had to leave.
Time passed endlessly, day by day.
That quietness was as gentle as being in the eye of a storm, yet it was clearly visible.
At the end of this quietness, things contrary to its peaceful depth were waiting.
The starting point of everything was neither someone’s death.
Nor the appearance of an outstanding figure.
But rather someone who, for now, was nothing within this place.
Yeso’s duel was the starting point of all this.
With situations changing rapidly at every moment, he almost couldn’t watch Yeso’s duel.
It wasn’t that he’d be disappointed not to see it.
Having said with his own mouth that he’d make her able to win, then running away, wouldn’t be pleasant.
Fortunately, he managed to avoid such a situation.
And only two days remained until that starting point.
In the meantime, Cheongsoso was erasing the suspicions she would face.
Originally, the plan was for Yeso to win the duel, then gradually establish her position while teaching other children.
In that process, she intended to naturally show the children that one could become strong enough even without the Demonic Sect’s martial arts.
She wasn’t hoping for immediate change of heart.
Just planting small seeds of doubt.
Just as the Demonic Sect had done to Kunlun.
Now there was no need for that anymore.
Before that day, he had a final meeting with Cheongsoso.
However, today Cheongsoso’s mother was also present.
Her gaze toward Cheongun contained undisguised suspicion.
Last time she seemed not to care much, but seeing this change, she must have heard the story from Cheongsoso.
“Is it two days from now?”
“That’s correct.”
“Keep in mind that while failure for you would simply mean death, for us failure means disgrace.”
Cheongsoso’s mother seemed to harbor some hostility as well.
“Is that so.”
“How carefree you are.”
“I am at peace.”
“Is that your source of pride?”
“Doesn’t everyone possess tranquility? Mine is simply greater than others.”
Having a retort for every single word made him quite an unlikeable fellow.
From the first impression she had of him, he seemed like the type who would go around seducing women.
“Know that I cannot tolerate even incomplete success.”
“I share that sentiment. I pursue perfection.”
“…Fine. That’s one thing I like about you. If it’s not just empty words.”
Just from being slightly displeased, cold air filled the room.
This wasn’t a change caused by inability to control emotions.
Such changes occurred because her entire body was imbued with cold energy.
“The plan is actually simple.”
Cheongun continued after Cheongsoso’s words.
“Incompetence. Is that it?”
“…Correct.”
Wouldn’t that be the most certain method?
Even if they investigated Cheongun, they had coincidentally met near Kunlun territory and even had friction.
They might figure out that he’s the Patriarch of Cheongeumjang, but that would take time.
“Then failure would be even more disgraceful.”
“Right. I didn’t know what kind of person you were. Isn’t that the simplest answer?”
Having the label of incompetence attached to a Junior Patriarch candidate wasn’t very good.
But even considering that, they chose this method because there were greater benefits.
Or perhaps it could even produce better results.
“Will you be teaching Yeso?”
“No. Mother will teach her.”
“That child. She had the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, didn’t she?”
Unlike when looking at Cheongun, her voice contained inexplicable tenderness.
“That’s right.”
“Then there’s no one who knows it better than I do.”
Ah, the Nine Yin Severed Meridians that Mawi had treated before.
It seems that was Cheongsoso’s mother.
Considering the time when the Jeongma Great War occurred, Yeso would have been young too.
He had wondered how she could possess such martial prowess at that age, and the cause was right before his eyes.
‘It’s already beyond my hands.’
How Yeso accepts the changed past will determine the future as well.
“After Yeso’s duel ends. I’ll depart with Mawi.”
“Good. I wish you luck. I hope you haven’t forgotten what I said then.”
What words could those be?
After thinking briefly, Cheongun soon understood what those words were.
She had asked him to eliminate all pursuers.
“I shall.”
Just because he hadn’t been training didn’t mean Cheongun was a blade that dulled.
He was waiting to forge and reforge himself, creating the sharpest moment when he desired it most.
Two days remaining.
Cheongun acted no differently than usual, and finally the day of Yeso’s duel dawned.
Yeso herself would know better than anyone how much she had changed compared to before.
Her nervousness was clearly evident.
“If I lose… what will happen to you, Master?”
“I think I’ll be a little embarrassed.”
“Eh…”
Yeso had expected something like receiving a great punishment, or being humiliated, or even losing his life.
She had asked this question now because, though it might be burdensome, she wanted to steel her resolve.
“What. Were you hoping I’d face some great disaster?”
“N-no! Absolutely not!”
“Then that’s settled. You won’t lose anyway.”
“I was worried I might be too overconfident…”
“When someone without ability holds it, it’s arrogance; when someone with ability holds it, it’s confidence.”
“…Yes, Master.”
Soon they arrived at Maryeongdong.
Originally this had been quite an interesting affair that drew attention from others, but it had lost its appeal after the incident of Pokdanma’s death occurred.
So aside from the instructors and children of Maryeongdong, no one else was present.
“You’ve come.”
“Let’s begin.”
Cheongun’s concise response seemed to displease him greatly.
You could tell from how his expression showed it so plainly.
And this from someone who was supposedly the Head Instructor of this Maryeongdong.
“Number 15! Come up.”
Number 15 appeared with a triumphant expression.
Even to Cheongun’s eyes, he looked considerably stronger.
During that month, his body had become more solid and his internal energy had visibly improved.
If he continued like this, he certainly had the talent to enter the ranks of masters.
If they had been mediocre children, they would have been defeated without proper resistance.
“Number 975. Come up.”
Yeso also stepped up, and soon the two children faced each other.
Still the same look in his eyes.
The gaze looking down at Yeso.
Eyes that looked down on her, underestimated her, ignored her.
Yeso was the same too.
Those eyes that desired survival above all else.
“You already know, but everything except killing is allowed. And internal energy will not be used. Whoever uses it will be considered defeated.”
Not using internal energy was a rule that hadn’t existed before.
He seemed to have noticed that Yeso had changed somewhat.
Wasn’t it pathetic?
The sight of him desperately trying to create an environment where Number 15 absolutely could not lose to Number 975.
Even now he was saying this while sneakily checking Cheongun’s reaction.
In contrast to Yeso who was clearly nervous, the child called Number 15 was overflowing with leisure.
“Begin.”
At the start, Number 15 immediately rushed at Yeso.
Was it because of memories from before?
Yeso flinched slightly and stepped back.
However, movements based on memory were like a kind of habit and custom.
And it was precisely Number 15 who had directly implanted those memories.
“Stupid bitch.”
Number 15’s movement as he leaped in, as if he had already expected this, was aimed even further back.
Knowing Yeso’s movements, he knew perfectly even how far back she would retreat.
“…?”
But Yeso’s expression was strange, having seen through all these movements.
‘Too… too slow.’
Cheongun had sparred with her a few times.
Though it hadn’t been many occasions, those few experiences had been adapting Yeso.
To Cheongun’s speed.
Yeso couldn’t react at first either, but as time passed, she gradually showed signs of responding.
Compared to the movements Cheongun had shown, Number 15’s movements were… far too slow.
At the moment the tip of the wooden sword aimed for Yeso’s solar plexus as she retreated.
Yeso slightly twisted her body to avoid the sword, then brought her head down directly.
Thwack!
“Wh-what…!”
Somehow, it was a scene that reminded her of the Daoist Master from Kunlun.
“You, you bitch…!”
As furious as he was, Number 15’s movements became a bit faster, but they also became more monotonous and simple.
A smile began to form on Yeso’s lips at the sword that had actually become easier to dodge.
It was fun.
A body that didn’t hurt.
This moment of revenge against the one who had caused her pain.
He was certainly stronger than her, but wasn’t he unable to do anything?
“Aaaahhh!!!”
Number 15, who had made thwacking sounds several times, could no longer properly hold onto the thread of reason.
He had always seemed like that kind of child, and being still a young child, he appeared much more vulnerable.
Yes, up to this point it was understandable.
In the name of being a child.
But what came next, even Cheongun couldn’t understand.
“Tsk…”
Everyone must have noticed.
But no one stepped forward.
Even if it meant defeat, killing the opponent seemed to be the priority.
It was something that often happened regardless of righteous or demonic sects, so it wasn’t surprising.
“Die!!”
It was far from sufficient to be called killing intent.
With a voice filled with malice that only conveyed endless cursing and resentment toward the opponent, the tip of the wooden sword held by Number 15 began to hum and emit light.
And the tip of that wooden sword was aimed at Yeso’s neck.
This couldn’t be avoided.
“Stop.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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